Mental Health & Addictions Research Program

The Mental Health and Addictions (MH&A) Research Program at ICES generates new knowledge generation and produces policy-relevant, population-based research in the area of mental health and addictions services. The program has 12 well-trained and experienced ICES Scientists and numerous trainees mentored by MH&A program scientists. Engagement spans Ontario, including Toronto (University of Toronto), Hamilton (McMaster University), and Kingston (Queen’s University). Our main interests include:

In each of these areas, we take a lifespan or developmental approach, recognizing the importance of transitions (e.g., adolescence to adulthood) and of continuities and changes in the experience of mental health and addiction problems (etiology, chronic course of illness). We also recognize the influence of developmental period on the interactions between individuals with these problems and care providers (micro-, meso-, and macro- levels).

COLLABORATIONS AND PARTNERSHIPS

Within the Government of Ontario, the MH&A Program has a primary partnership with the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. Mental health service provision, however, is multi-sectoral. Consequently, the MH&A Program has partnerships with a number of other Ministries, including Children and Youth Services, Education, and Community and Social Services.

The scientists either have affiliations with or have collaborated with a large number of academic institutions:

Dr. Kurdyak, the Program Lead, is also a scientist and clinician at CAMH, the largest mental health hospital and research institute in Canada.

Dr. Cairney is a faculty member and scientist at McMaster University.

Dr. Vigod is a clinician and scientist at Women’s College Research Institute and Women’s College Hospital.

Scientists engaged in mental health and addictions research are also affiliated with the following academic institutions:

Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids

London Health Sciences Centre

Hamilton Health Sciences

St Joseph’s Hospital (Hamilton)

University Health Network (Toronto)

Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre (Toronto)

St. Michael’s Hospital (Toronto)

Kingston General Hospital

Ottawa Hospital

Other partners include:

Ontario Drug Policy and Research Network (ODPRN)

Offord Centre for Child Studies

CanChild Centre for Studies in Childhood Disability

the Canadian Academy of Psychiatric Epidemiology (Dr. Cairney is current President)

Centre for Health Economics Research Fellowship

2017: Awarded to Dr. Claire de Oliveira by the Centre for Health Economics at the University of York. Her research project will be 'Equity in the utilization of psychiatric inpatient care among patients with severe mental illness (SMI) in Ontario, Canada'.

6/1/2017

DiverseCity Fellow

2017: Dr. Maria Chiu selected by CivicAction as a DiverseCity Fellow of 2017. The DiverseCity Fellows are emerging leaders from various sectors who have made an impact in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area. CivicAction’s DiverseCity Fellows program provides opportunities for emerging leaders to further develop leadership and increase their impact.

2/1/2017

Innovation Fund Award for Mental Health and Geriatric Care

2016: Awarded to Dr. Simone Vigod by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care and Ontario Medical Association at the Innovation Fund Showcase. Dr. Vigod received the award for her tool to identify psychiatric inpatients at risk for early rehospitalisation, called READMIT.